Keone Kela returns to Texas Rangers bullpen ready to be 'accountable'

This Story is About...

Share This Story On...

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Keone Kela (50) is pictured during Game 4 of the ALDS between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on Monday, October 12, 2015. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The day began with Keone Kela telling his teammates he understood his role with the Rangers. It ended with him showing them, too.

After nearly three weeks of banishment to the minor leagues, Kela returned to the Rangers Monday. He proclaimed that he's working on being more accountable to teammates. A good way to start: Firing a scoreless ninth-inning full of 96-mph fastballs and dotted with a couple of killer curves to finish off a 7-0 win over Oakland.

Kela was sent to the minors on March 31, two days after an incident in an intrasquad game on the final day of spring training. Some veterans took issue with his effort. Things boiled over into heated clubhouse discussions. The Rangers decided it was best for Kela to start the year in the minors. While Kela acknowledged talking to the team before the game Monday, he did not provide specifics.

Rangers recall Keone Kela, put Sam Dyson on DL with hand contusion

He did, however, say the demotion helped him.

“The biggest takeaway was understanding my lane and my role,” Kela said of his four games with Triple-A Round Rock. “It was about what I need to do to be the best I can be not only for me, but for the guys around me, and how to help the team in the best way possible. I know there are a lot of things that I need to work on as an individual and these guys here don’t want to do anything other than help me become a better man on and off the field. I’m gaining more accountability for my actions and I want to try to continue to move forward.”

It was worth noting here two events that took place on Sunday. The first: The Rangers blew a five-run lead and then another ninth-inning lead, suffering their fifth blown save in the first 12 games. The second: Kela turned 24. With his return to the majors, he becomes the fifth youngest player on the roster behind what sounds like the future of the organization: Nomar Mazara (21), Rougned Odor, Joey Gallo and this year’s relief wunderkind Jose Leclerc (all 23).

The point: He is a young player. Of young players, it is often said they lack maturity. That can manifest itself in being overaggressive or timid on the field, but also in bad work habits.

The decision to send Kela down was about trying to reinforce that he has a bright future with the club, but that there is work to be done.

“We got very good reports on and off the field,” general manager Jon Daniels said in announcing the recall. “I don’t see this as something lingering past today.”

Jon Daniels on the 'real bright spot' of the Rangers' power, and a 'better than expected' Andrew Cashner

In the crowded clubhouse after the game, the first time Kela was available to speak about his return, he said he was welcomed back.

“I felt like I was received with love, nothing else,” he said. “I walked in and everybody was cheerful to see me and gave me hugs. I’ve been with this organization five years and at this level for the last two. I feel like everyone knows who I am and I know them. It felt like walking into a family reunion. And those are usually really good feelings.”

Said shortstop Elvis Andrus, the Ranger with the longest tenure on the team: “I think it was all a learning experience for him. It’s important for everybody to understand we are a team and, that together, chemistry is more important than anybody’s individual talents. That’s it. It looked like he understood. We do need him. He’s a key bullpen guy for us.”

The Rangers called on Kela in the ninth after extending the lead from 5-0 to 7-0. It was a low-pressure situation to allow him to get back on the field. He responded with a quick 10-pitch inning that included eight strikes. He got the final two outs on curve balls, one a swing and miss, the other a routine ground ball.

It was, he and the Rangers hope, a new beginning.

“The last two weeks were just difficult in understanding the process and the game and what I need to do to be a part of the situation,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. It’s about being part of this group collectively so we can go out and win ballgames.”